A hydrogen ion is created when a hydrogen atom loses its electron. A lone hydrogen ion (or proton) can readily combine with other particles and therefore is only seen isolated when it is in a gaseous state or a nearly particle free space.[1] Due to its extremely high charge density of approximately 2E10 times that of a Sodium ion, the bare hydrogen ion cannot exist freely in solution as it readily hydrates (bonds quickly).[2] The hydrogen ion is recommended by IUPAC as a general term for all ions of hydrogen and its isotopes.[3] Depending on the charge of the ion, two different classes can be distinguished: positively charged ions and negatively charged ions.

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A hydrogen atom is made up of a proton and an electron. This means that when a hydrogen atom loses its electron it is just a proton. This is why the symbol for a proton and a hydrogen ion is just H+.[4]

Zundel cations and Eigen cations play an important role in proton diffusion according to the Grotthuss mechanism.

In connection with acids, "hydrogen ions" typically refers to hydrons.

Hydrogenatom (center) contains a single proton and a single electron. Removal of the electron gives a cation (left), whereas addition of an electron gives an anion (right). The hydrogen anion, with its loosely held two-electron cloud, has a larger radius than the neutral atom, which in turn is much larger than the bare proton of the cation. Hydrogen forms the only cation that has no electrons, but even cations that (unlike hydrogen) still retain one or more electrons are still smaller than the neutral atoms or molecules from which they are derived.

Hydrogen ions drive ATP synthase in photosynthesis. This happens when hydrogen ions get pushed across the membrane creating a high concentration inside the thylakoid membrane and a low concentration in the cytoplasm. However, because of osmosis the H+ will force itself out of the membrane through ATP synthase. Utilizing their kinetic energy to escape, the protons will spin the ATP synthase which in turn will create ATP. This happens in cellular respiration as well though the concentrated membrane will instead be the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

Hydrogen ions are also important in pH as they are responsible for if a compound is acidic or basic. Water detaches to form H+ and hydroxides. This process is referred to as the self-ionization of water[5]

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